Is a digital translator better than a translation app?

A digital translator will often have a more robust interface, with access to a larger library of languages and accents, as well as potentially quicker, more efficient, and more accurate interpretations. It can also house several capabilities within a single device, whereas you might need multiple translation apps to perform the same tasks. All that said, a translation app will likely suffice for one-off or occasional needs only.

Should I store my digital translator in my carry-on or checked luggage?

We recommend storing your digital translator in your carry-on luggage — maybe even in your backpack or purse. That way, you'll have easy access on the plane and at your destination. (You'd never want to need it and not have it with you.) As with all other devices, be sure to have a charger on hand as well.

The 6 Best Digital Translators of 2023

International travel is an enriching experience — but a language barrier can present a slew of challenges, from trouble ordering food at restaurants to miscommunicating with your host to safety issues. Of course, traditional translation apps can be used with Wi-Fi, but there are instances where you may want to leave your smartphone safely tucked away (or may not have local data access for online services). For this reason, a specialized translator is a good investment that you can be sure will work in any environment.

These pocket-sized gadgets are useful for simple conversations, asking for directions, interpreting street signs, and navigating public transportation. Some are relatively simple, and others are more sophisticated, with touch screens, built-in cameras, pronunciation assistance, offline support, and accurate translation for dozens of dialects. We found the best digital translators to help you pinpoint your exact needs.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Timekettle Mini Handheld Translator Device at Amazon ($150)

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Best Features:

Raviad Language Translator Device at Amazon ($110)

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Best for Offline Use:

Wooask W12 Translator Device at Amazon ($150)

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Best for Beginners:

Hasled Language Translator Device at Amazon ($80)

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Best Splurge:

Pocketalk Plus Real Time Two-way Voice & Camera at Amazon ($234)

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Best Earbuds:

Timekettle WT2 Edge at Amazon ($300)

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Best Overall

Timekettle Mini Handheld Translator Device

PHOTO:

Amazon

$150 At Amazon View On Timekettle.co

Why We Love It

The compact, lightweight T1 Mini can translate 36 languages and 88 accents through audio and 39 languages through photos.

What to Consider

It comes with one year of data and, after that, you'll have to buy a new plan.

Our top choice is the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini. This handheld device can translate 36 languages and 88 accents through voice recordings. It also has a built-in camera, allowing you to take photos of restaurant menus, signs, and other texts and get instant translations in 39 languages.

The T1 Mini can even be used offline, without service, though you'll only be able to access 13 language pairs. With data service or a Wi-Fi connection, you can access all capabilities from nearly anywhere. (It comes with a free year of global data, and after that, you can renew it for $45 a year.)

Roughly the size of a credit card, half an inch thick, and weighing about 3 ounces, this digital translator is super compact and lightweight so you can carry it in your pocket, purse, or backpack. It runs on a rechargeable battery, which you can power up with a USB-A connector as well.

Price at time of publish: $150

The Details: 3.6 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches | 0.2 pounds | Built-in rechargeable battery

Best Features

Raviad Language Translator Device

PHOTO:

Amazon

$110 At Amazon

Why We Love It

This gadget uses AI to instantly interpret 136 languages and OCR to translate any text.

What to Consider

It's not as compact as other options, and most features require Wi-Fi access.

This gadget leans on AI technology to translate 136 languages with 98 percent accuracy while providing instant two-way interpretations to keep conversations flowing. It also supports 40 languages in photo mode, with OCR (optical character recognition) that quickly scans and reads menus, signs, labels, newspapers, and other texts.

The Raviad Language Translator Device provides access to 16 languages offline. But, bear in mind, advanced features — like two-way, real-time conversation translation and up to 60 minutes of voice recording with multi-language translation — can only be accessed with an internet connection, whether it's Wi-Fi at your destination or your phone's hotspot while on the go. Though this digital device isn't as compact as others we found, the slightly larger screen can make the text easier to read. We appreciate that the rechargeable design runs continuously for 10 hours on a full battery, and it only takes about an hour to recharge with a USB-C connector.

Price at time of publish: $140

The Details: 5 x 3 x 0.5 inches | 0.4 pounds | Built-in rechargeable battery

Best for Offline Use

Wooask W12 Translator Device

PHOTO:

Amazon

$150 At Amazon View On Aliexpress.us

Why We Love It

You can access 10 preloaded languages without a Wi-Fi connection and download more for offline use.

What to Consider

It's lightweight but slightly larger than other translators.

The Wooask W12 Translator uses ASR (automatic speech recognition) technology to accurately translate 144 languages, with a response time of less than half a second. You can also switch to photo mode to instantly translate texts. It supports 10 preloaded languages offline (English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Russian, Arabic, Korean, and Thai). When connected to Wi-Fi, you can download more languages for offline use.

Roughly the size of a smartphone, this digital translator has a somewhat large, user-friendly touchscreen. Though it's slightly bigger than others we found, it's very lightweight with a built-in battery. It runs for about eight hours on a full charge and takes a couple of hours to recharge with a USB-C cable.

Price at time of publish: $150

The Details: 6 x 3.7 x 0.5 inches | 0.2 pounds | Built-in rechargeable battery

Best for Beginners

Hasled Language Translator Device

PHOTO:

Amazon

$80 At Amazon

Why We Love It

This slim, user-friendly device has just three buttons and a touchscreen with a simple interface.

What to Consider

It doesn't arrive with a full battery, so make sure to charge it before your trip.

If you've never used a translator or are new to international travel, we recommend the Hasled. Similar to a smartphone, this user-friendly device has only three buttons and a touchscreen with an equally simple interface. But while it's easy to use, the capabilities are robust.

Powered by four AI engines, this clever gadget calls on language learning to translate 138 languages in real-time through audio and 74 through photos. It also supports offline use with access to 17 languages. It's usable for up to eight hours on a full charge and lasts a week when not in use. Just a heads up, the battery won't be full when you receive it, so be sure to charge it before your trip. (It only takes an hour or two to go from zero to 100 percent.) We also like how portable and packable the small, lightweight design is.

Price at time of publish: $110

The Details: 4.7 x 2 x 0.5 inches | 0.2 pounds | Built-in rechargeable battery

Best Splurge

Pocketalk Plus Real Time Two-way Voice & Camera

PHOTO:

Amazon

$234 At Amazon View On Pocketalk.com

Why We Love It

The Pocketalk Plus uses the latest tech for instant, accurate translations and comes with two years of data service that works in over 130 countries.

What to Consider

You'll have to renew your data plan after two years, as you can't access any languages offline.

If you're open to investing in a more advanced model, you should definitely consider the Pocketalk Plus. This device translates 82 languages through voice and photos with top-tier transcription and accuracy. The brand updates its software frequently, so you can bet the translation engines are always up-to-date and precise. It's also HIPPA-compliant, with the option to lock it with a PIN and time it to automatically delete recorded audio. Other standout features include pronunciation mode and currency, temperature, and measurement conversions.

This digital translator comes with two years of cellular data that works in over 130 countries. You can't access any languages offline, however, so while it'll work with a Wi-Fi connection, you might want to renew your data plan when it expires. The Pocketalk takes an hour and a half to charge and can be used continuously for about six hours (plus be on standby for eight days without recharging).

Price at time of publish: $299

The Details: 4.8 x 2.6 x 0.5 inches | 0.3 pounds | Built-in rechargeable battery

Best Earbuds

Timekettle WT2 Edge

PHOTO:

Amazon

$300 At Amazon View On Timekettle.co

Why We Love It

Offering hands-free, real-time interpretation without a screen, these earbuds eliminate awkward pauses and make conversations more personable.

What to Consider

They'll need to be recharged after three hours of continuous use, and you'll have to pay for the languages you download.

Prefer hands-free translation? Timekettle's WT2 Edge consists of ergonomic wireless earbuds (very similar in appearance to Apple AirPods) designed for efficient, real-time interpretation for longer conversations. They help eliminate pauses after each person speaks to make communication more fluent and personable as you can split up the pair as needed.

Connect to Wi-Fi or a cellular hotspot to access 40 languages and 93 accents, or eight preloaded languages can be used offline. To access more languages offline, you can purchase and download the brand's language pack. These earbuds can run for up to three hours with continuous use, but you can quickly power them back up with the portable charging case.

Price at time of publish: $325

The Details: 3.9 x 3.9 x 2 inches | 0.4 pounds | Charging case

Tips for Buying a Digital Translator

Choose an option with features that suit your needs

Digital translators range in terms of price and capability, so think about what features you need before shopping around. Some support nearly 150 languages, while others may only translate a few dozen. If you can't rely on a Wi-Fi connection, you might want a device that supports offline languages or comes with cellular data that works in the country you're visiting.

Many pocket translators have built-in cameras that scan and translate text from things like menus, street signs, and maps. Some higher-end options have standout features like pronunciation mode, currency conversion, and passcodes for privacy.

Consider how often you'll actually use it

If you anticipate using a digital translator quite often during your trip, you're wise to get one with a long-lasting battery for extended offline use. Cellular data might be necessary for added features and, although most options will work with Wi-Fi, you can't always rely on an internet connection.

Sophisticated earbud-style translators can be useful for longer conversations and business meetings. But if you need something for occasional use while traveling abroad, a simpler model will probably suffice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a digital translator better than a translation app?

A digital translator will often have a more robust interface, with access to a larger library of languages and accents, as well as potentially quicker, more efficient, and more accurate interpretations. It can also house several capabilities within a single device, whereas you might need multiple translation apps to perform the same tasks. All that said, a translation app will likely suffice for one-off or occasional needs only.
Should I store my digital translator in my carry-on or checked luggage?

We recommend storing your digital translator in your carry-on luggage — maybe even in your backpack or purse. That way, you'll have easy access on the plane and at your destination. (You'd never want to need it and not have it with you.) As with all other devices, be sure to have a charger on hand as well.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in consumer tech, luggage, and lifestyle goods. For this story, she researched today's best digital translators, considering dozens of options before narrowing it down to models that stood out for features, efficiency, portability, and overall value.

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